"I've seen luxere there, but none others with antlers that burned with true fire," Jigano admitted. "It might just be a sport, one of those unusual types that crop up once ever couple of generations or so." He'd seen a herd when flying over Tundra with Loren, but they had been normal. A good thing, too; neither the Hollowed Grounds nor the Greatwood needed any extra help catching fire in this dry season.
Sam knew him well. At the mention of nearly dying the bard tensed, but he held his questions at the bookmaker's gesture, even if his fingers clenched dangerously around his cup with concern. It had become a distressingly common occurrence, these declarations of near-death experiences. He hoped Sam could see that it was bad for the white-haired man's blood pressure. But then Sam smiled back, warm and hopeful and looking so much like the man he used to be - but now with more confidence and self-assurance - that Jigano caught his breath.
Sam's suggestion was one that the bard had tried to make, back before Sam had regained his fingers. That the ginger man was making it now didn't change how badly Jigano wanted it, and he nodded gladly. "I'm very happy to hear that you think that way," he said quietly. "And I would like that, too. You are a friend and a guildmate I've been through a lot with. You, me, and Amalia... we three are the heart and core of the Guild. I don't want to lose either of you if there's any choice in the matter."
His warm smile faded a moment later through, silver brow arching as the concern Sam had to know was coming came back over his expression. "But what happened this time? Did someone try to kill you again?" Shadows of Roana returned for a bare moment, but were quickly banished. He'd stood deathwatch over her corpse and seen her soul bouncing in Ludo's care; she was one that wouldn't be coming back, ever.
Sam knew him well. At the mention of nearly dying the bard tensed, but he held his questions at the bookmaker's gesture, even if his fingers clenched dangerously around his cup with concern. It had become a distressingly common occurrence, these declarations of near-death experiences. He hoped Sam could see that it was bad for the white-haired man's blood pressure. But then Sam smiled back, warm and hopeful and looking so much like the man he used to be - but now with more confidence and self-assurance - that Jigano caught his breath.
Sam's suggestion was one that the bard had tried to make, back before Sam had regained his fingers. That the ginger man was making it now didn't change how badly Jigano wanted it, and he nodded gladly. "I'm very happy to hear that you think that way," he said quietly. "And I would like that, too. You are a friend and a guildmate I've been through a lot with. You, me, and Amalia... we three are the heart and core of the Guild. I don't want to lose either of you if there's any choice in the matter."
His warm smile faded a moment later through, silver brow arching as the concern Sam had to know was coming came back over his expression. "But what happened this time? Did someone try to kill you again?" Shadows of Roana returned for a bare moment, but were quickly banished. He'd stood deathwatch over her corpse and seen her soul bouncing in Ludo's care; she was one that wouldn't be coming back, ever.
